10/23/22, 1:03 AM High Priority Site and Equitable Development | U.S.

Green Building Council

LEED BD+C: New Construction v4.1 - LEED v4.1

High Priority Site and Equitable

Development
Location and Transportation
Possible 2 Points
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Intent
To build the economic and social vitality of communities, encourage project location in areas with
development constraints and promote the ecological, cultural, and community health of the surrounding area
while understanding the needs and goals of existing residents and businesses.

Requirements
Option 1. High Priority Site (1 point BD&C except Core and Shell, 2

points Core and Shell)

Path 1. Economically Disadvantaged Community Location (1 point

BD&C except Core and Shell, 2 points Core and Shell)

Locate within one of the following areas:

Census tract* in which average household income is at or below 80% area median income (AMI)
Census tract in which at least 20% of population is at or below poverty rate of state, provincial, or other
regional jurisdiction
Census tract in which unemployment is at least 150% of the state, provincial, or other regional
jurisdiction.

*or local equivalent government-defined municipal tract for projects outside the U.S.

OR

Path 2. Brownfield Remediation (1 point BD&C except Core and Shell,

2 points Core and Shell)

Locate on a brownfield where soil or groundwater contamination has been identified, and where the local,
state, or national authority (whichever has jurisdiction) requires its remediation. In cases of voluntary
remediation by the project team, provide confirmation by the local, state, or national authority (whichever has
jurisdiction) to verify that the site is a brownfield. Perform remediation to the satisfaction of the relevant
authority.

AND/OR

Option 2. Equitable Development (1 point BD&C except Core and

Shell, 2 points Core and Shell)

Help

https://www.usgbc.org/credits/new-construction-schools-new-construction-retail-new-construction-data-centers-new-8?return=/credits/New Construction/v4.1 1/2

10/23/22, 1:03 AM High Priority Site and Equitable Development | U.S. Green Building Council

Path 1. Equity & Community Benefits (1 point BD&C except Core and

Shell, 2 points Core and Shell)

Develop and implement an equity plan.

OR

Path 2. Affordable Housing in Residential or Mixed-Use Projects (1

point)

Include a proportion of new rental and/or for-sale dwelling units priced for households earning less than the
AMI. Rental units must be maintained at affordable levels for a minimum of 15 years. Existing dwelling units
are exempt from requirement calculations. Meet or exceed the minimum thresholds in Table 1. Projects must
meet or exceed the minimum percentage of units mandated through inclusionary zoning by their local
jurisdictions.

Table 1. Minimum affordable units

Rental Dwelling Units 10 percent of total rental units (or at least one unit) priced up to 60% AMI

For-Sale Dwelling Units 5 percent of total for-sale units (or at least one unit) priced up to 80% AMI

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https://www.usgbc.org/credits/new-construction-schools-new-construction-retail-new-construction-data-centers-new-8?return=/credits/New Construction/v4.1 2/2